July 29, 2016

Until dental implants came into common use during the 1960s, dentures or bridges were the only options people had for replacing missing teeth. Although these are both aesthetically attractive, they could not offer a long-term solution for tooth loss. These types of prostheses can only be expected to last five to 10 years before needing to be replaced. However, with dental implants, Rocky Hill dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski provides a permanent solution for missing teeth.

The Components of a Dental Implant

Dental implants consist of three parts. The first is the actual implant, which is a small post that Rocky Hill cosmetic dentist Dr. Michalski surgically positions in your jawbone. This post is made of titanium, a metal that is biocompatible and, therefore, commonly used in a number of other medical applications such as hip or knee joint replacement. With time, the implant and your jawbone bond in a process called osseointegration. Once fully integrated, the implant takes the place of your missing tooth root, providing a secure footing for your new tooth and healthy stimulation to your jawbone.

The mid-portion of a dental implant is called the abutment. This basically serves as the connection between your implant and the eventual tooth restoration. The third component is the part that you and everyone else sees when you smile; the tooth restoration can be a porcelain crown for a single missing tooth or a partial or full implant-retained denture if you have several missing teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Aside from providing a permanent replacement for missing teeth, dental implants offer a number of other advantages. Because the implant stimulates the bone tissue, you are less likely to see changes in the shape of your jaw and face—a common consequence of tooth loss or even other types of tooth replacements that only rest on top of your gums.

In addition, because implants are embedded in bone, you’ll never have to worry about your prosthesis slipping, clicking or falling out, which can happen with partial and full dentures. You’ll be able to eat, smile, talk and laugh with confidence. And because dental implants do not have to be anchored to other teeth, they help preserve the overall condition of your mouth.

Call Our Office Today

If you have missing teeth and would like a permanent solution, contact the dental practice of Dr. Thaddeus Michalski in Rocky Hill, CT. Convenient to Hartford, Wethersfield, Cromwell, Newington, and Berlin, we are located minutes off Route 91.